Well, I go to work at the wine shop today and I look through the mail and happen to glance through the latest issue of Beer, Wine and Spirits Beverage Retailer and what do I see on page six. Why there's an interior shot of IS-WINE in Greenwich Village, and there's Foodie stocking the shelves. Now we need to get him a spread in WS and there'll be no stopping him.

Bucko, you have missed the point of "wine magazines". They have no interest in steering you to people who have put their palates, wallets and reputations on the line to bring you great wines and values. The primary job of wine journals these days is to deliver qualified, upscale, brand persuadable eyeballs to advertisers. They see the purpose of merchants as arguing about money once THEY have set the agenda for what you should buy....

Thanks guys for letting me in on this one. I have no idea when the pic was taken and when the article was scheduled, but I do remember speaking with someone from that magazine months ago--before Christmas 2001.

Hey Barnsey, there is a Riesling on its way to you--belated but coming; sent UPS on Tuesday.

WW, when I return from Italy I am going to put a noose around the necks of Scoop and RAD, rummage through their pockets and come up with a "donation" for something to send you that will make you think that heaven will be a come-down--but then, you ain't scheduled for heaven anyway.

One of my favorite songs is "How Can I Miss You if You Won't Go Away?" by Jerry Jeff Walker but I ain't gone yet....

Thanks so much for your benedictions, Roberto

Foodie, try and make it to the Mondo d'Oro Wine Bar (Via Mondo d'Oro 4, 8032679) for drinks on Wednesday from 7-8 or so and then dinner at Il Cantinon, Via S. Rocchetto 11, 595291 which is actually right across the street....) this is always a lot of fun, all the hellraising, anti-parker-spectator-Cotarella types in one room.